The last time I made Caldecott predictions, I went 2 for 5. Any time I can get more than one, I’m happy. But I refuse to stop until I am able to pick them all.

You can therefore count on me doing Caldecott predictions every year.

And if you’re into this stuff, you need to check out the predictions over at A Fuse #8 Production (it appears we’re sort of on the same page this time around).

Here are my picks for 2015 Caldecott glory:

Caldecott Medal Prediction: Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood; illustrated by Jonathan Bean

I just can’t get over the illustrations in this book. The style suits the story in a way no other book in 2014 can match. Bean’s artwork expertly conveys a sense of motion while portraying the feelings of unease that come with moving. Even the endpapers (dark gray in the beginning, sunny yellow in the end) serve the story. Because it nails the big picture and all the details, this is my Caldecott Medal pick.

Caldecott Honor Prediction: Draw! by Raul Colon

The indelible cover image sends the message: this is a book you won’t forget. The story makes good on this promise. Inside it’s spread after skillfully executed spread – beautifully composed and flowing from one wordless page to the next. The calm of a pack of milling zebras, the excitement of galloping giraffes, the humor of a group of monkeys – all the emotions are there on the page. I predict Honor.

Caldecott Honor Prediction: The Farmer & the Clown by Marla Frazee

This wordless book seems like a consensus-builder to me. The one that everyone finds endearing. This is because the story (of an old farmer who takes in a little clown separated from his circus troop) is depicted with honesty and humor, rather than heartstring-tugging manipulation. It’s a tough balancing act, and one that relies entirely on the illustrations. Because of this, I’m thinking Caldecott Honor.